Sports
Diogo Villarinho: Olympic Swimmer to Pro Triathlete at IRONMAN 70.3
Athlete Diogo Villarinho shares his transition to professional triathlon, his mindset, and expectations for IRONMAN 70.3 Brasília.
In an exclusive interview at the Nubank Ultravioleta IRONMAN 70.3 Brasília, former Olympic swimmer Diogo Villarinho discusses his new phase as a professional triathlete. He details the differences in pressure between Olympic sports and triathlon, changes to his training routine, and his strategies for the competition.
Amidst the excitement of the Nubank Ultravioleta IRONMAN 70.3 Brasília, hosts Fabio Bessa and Thiago Kawamura welcomed triathlete Diogo Villarinho for a revealing conversation. Directly from the capital, Villarinho, who once excelled in swimming, shares insights into his transition to the professional triathlon circuit, discussing the evolution of his mindset and his expectations for his debut.
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Return to Professionalism and Roots in Brasília
For Diogo, competing in Brasília is like a return to his roots. The city, which marked the beginning of his journey in open water swimming, now welcomes him for a new chapter as a professional triathlon athlete. “I feel at home now,” he states, emphasizing the emotion of starting anew in such a significant place. Despite his vast experience in competitions, the pre-race butterflies persist, a sign that the passion and adrenaline of competing remain alive. For him, nervousness isn't bad anxiety but rather euphoria and the desire to perform, emotions he has learned to control over the years.
Pressure in Olympic Sports vs. Professional Triathlon
Diogo Villarinho draws an interesting comparison between the pressure experienced by an Olympic athlete and that of a professional triathlete. In Olympic swimming, life boils down to a single chance every four years, a cycle that can be mentally exhausting. “The pressure on an Olympic athlete is different,” Diogo explains, noting that although professionalism also demands high performance, the multiple opportunities in triathlon mitigate the weight of a single event. This difference in scenario allows former Olympic athletes to adapt well to triathlon, leveraging their strong foundational skills and the less intense pressure of individual events.
Mindset and Training: The Professional Shift
The decision to become a professional triathlete brought a drastic change in Diogo’s mindset and training routine. After his swimming career, he sought a "lighter" approach to sports, without the obligation to train exhaustively. However, the commitment to professionalism demanded a new level of dedication. From an average of 8-20 hours per week, he now dedicates between 30 and 35 hours to training, even while balancing his responsibilities as a coaching consultant.
“When I said I was going professional, everything changed for me – the mindset, the way I see things, the way I train,” he states. This new mindset means adhering rigorously to training, even after an exhausting day, something that wasn't the case when he was an amateur. It’s the commitment of an elite athlete, transforming a hobby into a profession.
Strategy for IRONMAN 70.3 Brasília
With a strong background in swimming, Diogo Villarinho plans to leverage his strength at IRONMAN 70.3 Brasília. Knowing that the race is unlikely to feature wetsuits, which favors him, his strategy is clear: swim strong and get ahead to avoid the initial "muddle." “My strategy is to exert force; the rest doesn’t matter,” he declares, focusing on his own performance. He acknowledges the high caliber of competitors and the importance of analyzing opponents, something he already did in open water marathons. However, he knows that a professional race has a different dynamic, where victory is the sole objective, not just the time.
With the goal of delivering his best, Diogo Villarinho approaches the challenge of professional triathlon with realism and enthusiasm. “Everyone who starts as a professional wants to win the race,” he concludes, knowing that the path will be arduous, but his passion for the sport and the pursuit of excellence drive him with every stroke, pedal, and stride.
Amidst quick questions about music, idols like Michael Phelps and Carlos Jaime, and his favorite team, Flamengo, Diogo shows that beyond the focused athlete, there's a human being with his passions and simplicities, ready for the next battle on the track. The path on the professional circuit is a gigantic challenge, but Diogo is ready to “have some fun with the crowd” and leave his mark.
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